zag

[ zag ]

verb (used without object)

, zagged, zag·ging.

1. to move in one of the two directions followed in a zigzag course:

   First we zigged, then we zagged, trying to avoid the bull.

Word History and Origins

Origin of zag¹

First recorded in 1785–95; extracted from zigzag

Example Sentences

But then, like a sportsball person trying to carry their sportsball to the winning whatever, he takes some zigs and zags.

From Salon

"Anora takes viewers on a frenetic and wild ride that goes on for a little too long as it zig zags to an inevitable outcome," said Carla Hay of Culture Mix.

From BBC

The episode also demonstrates the series’ refreshing tendency to zig when you expect it to zag.

From Los Angeles Times

Whenever he approached, I shouted, “Turn!” and though Samir wheezed with exhaustion, he managed to zig or zag at the last second.

From Literature

Mikey Johnston, with a zig and a zag, manages to open up some space on the left.

From BBC

More About Zag

What does zag mean?

Zag is an informal verb that means to move in one of the directions in a zigzag pattern.

A zigzag is a line of alternating, sharp up-and-down turns that form peaks and valleys kind of resembling the letter Z. Zigzag can also be used as a verb meaning to move back and forth while traveling forward in a way that resembles this pattern.

The word zig can be used to mean the same thing as zag. However, the two terms are typically used together, in which case they mean to move in opposite directions. This is usually used in a somewhat humorous way.

Zig and zag are most commonly used in the context of physical movement, but they are sometimes used in situations in which people keep doing different things, such as when changing their minds back and forth.

Example: I threw the ball where I said I was going to throw it, but you zigged when you should have zagged!

Where does zag come from?

The first records of the words zig and zag come from the late 1700s. The word zigzag has been used since at least the early 1700s. It comes from the French ziczac, from the German zickzack, which is based on the German Zacke, meaning “point” or “jagged projection.” Both zig and zag came from zigzag—not the other way around.

Zigzag patterns have jagged points from the line sharply moving up and then back down. To zigzag is to move in this way, and to zag is to move in one of those diagonal directions. Saying that someone is “zigzagging all over the state” (meaning they are traveling back and forth across it) is the same as saying they are “zigging and zagging all over the state.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for zag?

• zig (when used together, they can be considered opposites)

What are some words that share a root or word element with zag? 

• zigzag

What are some words that often get used in discussing zag?

• move
• run
• diagonal
• pattern
• line
• back
• forth

How is zag used in real life?

Zag is very informal. It’s usually used alongside zig.

#Oops! "I think he zigged when he should have zagged. That's what I think." (Photos: Boston Public Library) pic.twitter.com/3f5IrRBthC

— H. P. OLIVER 🇺🇸 (@HP_Oliver) September 12, 2017

Brian Lewerke's broke his tibia vs. U-M last year. But he's still zigging and zagging across the field. https://t.co/wSsh0t2dtL

— GreenandWhite.com (@LSJGreenWhite) October 6, 2017

Still true that Sixers ownership is dumb and runs from one shiny object to the next. It's true that constant zigzagging is bad long term. It's also true that Daryl Morey is a competent executive and the team absolutely needed to zag from where it last zigged.

— Colin McDonnell (@colinpmcdonnell) October 28, 2020

 

 

Try using zag!

Is zag used correctly in the following sentence? 

Sometimes in life, you zig when you should zag and end up making the wrong decision.